PGA Tour fans are awaiting the return of Tiger Woods following repeated injury setbacks, and Notah Begay III believes that the golf legend is targeting two events in 2026
12:25 ET, 20 Nov 2025Updated 12:25 ET, 20 Nov 2025
Tiger Woods is contemplating two PGA Tour events that he often skips(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Tiger Woods is expected to return to golf next year after missing the entirety of 2025, but his close friend has alarmingly revealed that he’s still struggling to walk.
Woods was dealt a massive blow in March after rupturing his left Achilles tendon and undergoing surgery, which forced him to miss the Masters. The golfing icon has been focusing on recovery and rehab ever since, and underwent another back surgery in October, the seventh back procedure of his career.
The latest surgery replaced a disk in his lower back that had caused pain and mobility problems, but there is currently no timeline for his return. Golf analyst and close friend, Notah Begay III, believes that Woods is targeting two PGA Tour events in 2026, but has admitted that walking remains a concern.
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Woods hasn’t played competitive golf since the 2024 Open Championship, but turns 50 next month, unlocking a new event opportunity. Woods is eligible to compete in the PGA Tour Champions from 2026, but Begay expects him to attempt the Charles Schwab Challenge and the RBC Heritage next year.
Speaking on the Straight Facts Homie podcast, Begay said, “I think the biggest problem, in the conversations that I’ve had with him, is the walking. That’s it.
“He hits it great, he’s in tremendous physical condition. His ball speeds are fast enough; they’re 175-180, which is adequate for the PGA Tour. It’s just can he walk 72 holes plus a pro-am? I don’t know, and that’s the big question.
Notah Begay III, former golfer and current analyst, is a close friend of Woods(Image: 2016 Getty Images)
“A major championship venue with flatter terrain. Hilton Head with flatter terrain, Colonial with flatter terrain might be targets. And those are venues that he’s never typically played at.
“He’s played Colonial once and never went back. And I don’t think he’s ever been to Hilton Head. Those are two things that you may see at some point.”
It remains to be seen whether Woods will attempt to play a major competition next year, especially as the PGA Tour legend was eager to compete at Augusta National before injuring his Achilles. Woods is eligible for all majors until the end of his career, but can also compete for the Champions Tour once he turns 50 on Dec. 30.
Woods turns 50 before the end of the year(Image: Megan Briggs/TGL/TGL via Getty Images)
The Champions Tour allows for the use of a golf cart, which will significantly boost his chances. “We’re also dying to see him on the Champions Tour. He can take a cart, and the walking becomes alleviated at that point,” Begay added.
“I think he’s going to try it. You can only sit in your house and think about golf and hit balls at the range for so long. You wanna go out and see if you can beat somebody.
“I do think he will try it, and I hope he likes it. The world of golf with Tiger is just so much better and so much more fun, even if we see glimpses from time to time.”
Woods remains tied with Sam Snead on 82 PGA Tour wins, and needs just one more to become the sole leader. Though Woods is struggling with overall fitness, Begay refuses to rule out a miracle. “I will not say he won’t win 83. I can’t. I’ve seen too many crazy things from him,” he concluded.
